# NTSB CHI85FA005: Cessna 310C, N9715Z, Allegan, MI, October 7, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1984, 01:30 local (05:30 UTC)
- Place: Allegan, MI
- Coordinates: 42.519248, -85.840736 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5192&lon=-85.8407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12801
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12801/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA005

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE NON INST NON MULTI-ENG RATED PVT PLT/OWNER OCCUPIED THE RT SEAT & EMPLOYED THE CFI FOR FERRYING THE NEWLY PURCHASED ACFT. FROM THE START, THE FLT EXPERIENCED COMM DIFFICULTIES & A COMPASS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION PROBLEM. ARTCC TRANSCRIPTS REVEAL THAT ATC WAS AWARE OF THE COMPASS PROBLEM & VECTORED N97152 BACK ON CRS FREQUENTLY. THE PLT/OWNER STATED THAT HE SLEPT FROM DEPT TO APRX 1/2 HR BEFORE THE CRASH. HE SAID HE WOKE TO WHAT HE CONSIDERED HEAVY RAIN NOISE & HEAVY TURBULENCE. ABOUT THIS TIME THE CFI REQUESTED RADAR VECTORS TO THE VOR FINAL APCH COURSE AT PAGDHAM ARPT BUT WAS TOLD THE FINAL APCH FIX WAS NOT DEPICTED ON RADAR. THE CFI THEN STATED HE WAS LOW ON FUEL AND ASKED TO BE VECTORED 'RIGHT OVER THE AIRPORT AT ALLEGAN.' HE SPOTTED THE ARPT BELOW HIM AND CANCELED HIS IFR CLEARANCE. THE PLT/OWNER STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS BURNING FUEL FROM THE AUX TANKS AND THE GAGES INDICATED '0'. THE ACFT CRASHED A FEW MINS LATER. INVESTIGATION VERIFIED FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9715Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9715Z-2000-09-20), registration cancelled 2000-09-20, S/N 35967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310C
- Registry model: [Cessna 310C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310c) (registry code 2074210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 35967
- Airframe hours: 2193
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Johns Szucs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1984, 15 hours before
- Departed: MCK, MC COOK, NE
- Destination: 35D, ALLEGAN, MI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 684 total, 50 in this make and model, 501 as pilot in command, 123 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19841007056539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841007056539A), Oct 7, 1984: Cessna 310C, Allegan, MI, Destroyed. Vectored over airport and cancelled IFR. Struck trees on base leg. Fuel was low, left engine slowed before impact.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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